Jospeph Galovich

January 4, 2015 — January 4, 2015

Joe Milo Galovich passed away at home surrounded by his family on January 4, 2015. He was born in Poposia, Wyoming on March 16, 1925 to Mike and Bessie Galovich. The family moved shortly after his birth to Thermopolis where he grew up and graduated from high school. Although he was an exceptional athlete, Joe was prouder of being a member of the National Honor Society than an Allstate basketball player. Like many young men he answered the call to serve his country in World War II. Joe became a sergeant in the 5th Squadron in the US Army Air Corp. He served in the Pacific Theater with stops in New Guinea, Guadalcanal, the Philippines and Okinawa and was very proud and honored that he served his country. After his discharge he returned to Wyoming and attended the University of Wyoming where he attained a BS in Petroleum Engineering. Joe worked for Conoco as a production superintendent for 35 years. He traveled extensively throughout the Rocky Mountains overseeing projects and oil fields. On December 17, 1955 he married the love of his life Delma Hembree in Denver, Colorado. They had two children, Mike and Becky Jo. Joe's family was the most important thing in his life. He was a loving husband, father, mentor and would sacrifice his needs to make sure their needs were met. After the kids went to college Joe and Delma moved to the Star Valley Ranch in Wyoming for the summer and to Mesa, Arizona for the winter. They traveled to Europe, Africa and South America and could be found on a golf course playing with family and friends. Joe and Delma never fell out of love. He was an avid outdoorsman and you could find him golfing, fishing and hunting. Joe was known to have a "super" green thumb and could get almost anything to grow. People would call him "McGyver" because he could fix anything from an airplane to a toaster and you could always find him tinkering around the house. Joe loved to tell jokes and had an extremely quick wit and dry sense of humor. But what he liked to do the most was talk about his kids and grandkids to whoever would listen. Although gone his impact made on others will be felt for eternity. Joe will be remembered for his service to others. He was a member of the United Way A&A Committee and a loan executive. He was a director of Wildcatters and a board member of the Casper Petroleum Club. Joe was active in all of his children's activities making sets for his daughter's dance recitals to serving on the board of the Casper Little League. He was a member of API and AIME and in 1984 the Casper Geologists named him Oilman Extraordinaire. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, belonged to the Scottish Rite; Consistory and Eastern Star in Colorado. Joe was a life member of the El Zaribah Shrine Temple in Phoenix and a member of the Casper Shrine Club. He was a lifetime member of the Elks Club, Oasis Lodge #67 A.F & A.M. of Fort Morgan and the VFW. Joe is survived by his wife of 59 years, Delma Galovich: his son, Mike (Jeri) Galovich; and daughter, Becky Jo (Gary) Latimer all of Casper. He has three grandchildren, Mike (Theresa) Cross of Denver, Ryan Cross of Boston and Heather Galovich of Casper; two brothers, Milan Galovich of Thermopolis and Peter Galovich of Palos Verde, California; two brothers-in-law, Deal Hembree of Prescott Valley, Arizona and Donald Hembree of Casper; as well as numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Bessie Galovich; brother, Lazo Galovich; and sisters, Sophia Zakovich, Mildred Parsons, Nadine Vin, Helen Galovich, Anna Galovich and a baby girl. Funeral services for Joe will be held at 2 PM, Thursday, January 8, 2015 at Bustard's Funeral Chapel with interment to follow at Highland Cemetery.Military rites will be accorded by the Wyoming Army National Guard and the Natrona County Veterans. Viewing will be Wednesday from 12 PM to 8 PM and a celebration of his life will be held at the Casper Shrine Club after internment. Contributions may be made in Joe's name to the Shrine Hospital for Children, Fairfax @ Virginia Street, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84103.

Service

Thursday, January 8, 2015 2:00pm

Bustard's Funeral Home

600 CY Avenue

Casper, Wyoming 82601

Visitation

Wednesday, January 7, 2015 12:00pm - 8:00pm